Hindu Studies: Mapping The Field
Lecturer(s):
Peggy Morgan MA, Prof. Francis X Clooney,
Prof. M Narasimhachary, Shaunaka Rishi Das
10 weekly meetings
Tuesdays 7.30pm - 9.30pm, starting 23rd April 2002
£55.00
Ewert House, Ewert Place, Summertown, Oxford
This course will explore a variety of approaches to the stuffy of Hindu communities and culture, identities, philosophies, ethics, spiritualities and worship. It will take account of the perspectives of practising Hindus in the UK and the place of dialogue amongst Hindus and between Hindus and those of other traditions.
Background Reading:
Knott, Kim, Hinduism, A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 1998)
For further information on the course, enrolment, concessionary fees or our study skills programmes, please contact the Oxford Weekly Class Administrator, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA. Telephone: 01865 370308/270391. E-mail: ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk.
Car parking will be available. Enquiries about car parking at Ewert House should be made to 01865 280882
Fees will only be refunded in exceptional circumstances. All refund requests should be made in writing to the Director of Public Programmes.
Syllabus
Course Aims and Objectives
To introduce some key approaches and themes in Hindu practise
To explore some of the diversity of Hindu ideas and practices both
historically and in the UK today.
To enable participants to enter with understanding Hindu worldviews.
Course Content
The course will examine how Hindu Studies may be approached and
select some key themes for study. These will include:
* Who are Hindus?
* Religion and culture, way of life, texts and contexts
* Hindu philosophies and theologies
* Hindu ethics
* Hindu spiritualities
* Hindu iconographies and worship
* Hindus in intra and inter-religious dialogue
* Teaching/Learning & Assessment Methods
This course will be taught by tutors who have considerable experience in the study of religions. The course co-ordinator, Peggy Morgan will invite to the sessions members of he Hindu community and staff of The Oxford Centre for Vaishnava and Hindu Studies and it is hoped that, should students wish, there will be a visit to a Hindu temple. Each session will include a presentation and group discussion and will make ample use of artefact and other visual materials. There will be an opportunity to engage in dialogue at various levels, both academic and personal and to engage in individual or group research into a particular community of theme.
Learning Outcomes
The course should provide students with:
* An appreciation of the secondary literature and methods in contemporary
Hindu Studies.
* An understanding of the diversity of Hindu faith and life.
The confidence and ability to enter into informed dialogue with
those of different Hindu worldviews.
10 CATS Points (Level 1)
Credit points earned from this course can be put towards the Department's Certificate of Higher Education. Please phone the Student Advisor on 01865 280355 for further information.